Tapering mechanism



June 23, 1925.

1,543,218 F. E. MARTIN TAPERING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 28, 1925 `3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June; 23, 1925.

1,543,218 F. E. MARTIN TAPERING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 28, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 [HUP/7501 31 sa 34 3v 4l 39 v 4S Z7 v June 23, 1925. 1";543218 F. E. MARTIN TAPERING MECHANISM F1ed Nov. 28, 1925 3 SheetsShet 5 the improved taper adjusting means and the selective positioning means therefor, the adjusting means being in normal position and the positioning' means at av Iiutr'alornor.- mal set to determine the movement ofthe adjusting means for a tapering operation.

Figure 2 Yis a similar view, with the adjusting 'means operatedto--theposition determined by the positioning means.

Figure 3 is a plan of Figure 1,theV knee and knee-block bein omitted.

Figure 4 is an en arged 'broken elevation showing the positioning means operated' in one. direction beyond thenormal orneutral position, the operating cylinder and control valve being each shownfin section.

Figure f5 is a similar view, with the parts in the opposite position from neutral to that shown in Figure 4.

.Figu're 6 is vasimilar view with theparts in position determined bythe neutral arrangementof the positioning means.

.Figure 7 Visa detail broken'perspective view of the quadrant showing the arrangement of stops. A

'Fi iure 8 is an en largedlongitudinal section of the operating cylinder for the positioning means.

Figure 9 is an enlarged broken elevation of a modified form of the invention, showing the position as .in Fig. 4

Figure 10 isa similar view, the parts being in the same-positionshown in Fig. 5.

Figure 11 is a similar view, the parts oeing in the same position as shown in Fig. 6.

Figure 12is a similar. view showing a modified or two-step-positioning and adj us'tment means, with the particular operatingcylinder and cont-rol valve therefor.

Fig. 13 'is a diagrammatic view illustrating a 'modified' arrangement of operating means.

'In the invention, as illustrated, a conventional saw carriage, is indicated at 1, 2 indicates a knee block, and 3 indicates a knee, any usual connection, such for example, as indicated at 4, being employed between the knee and knee `block to permit independent movement of the knee totaper a log, as heretofore contemplated 4and practiced.

A pin 6 carried bythe; knee pivotally supports a quadrant 7 having oppositely disposed extensions 8 and 9, the vformer being held in adjusted position with the knee by any o f the well known yspring means, as for example, ,as indicated at 10, while they latter carries a fluid pressure cylinder 11 hereinafter referred to as thetaper cylinder. The connection 4 is provided with a lever 15, hereinafter termed the taper lever, and the upper end of this-lever 15 passes through a slot in the end of a piston rod 16 connected to a piston 16a in the taper cylinder, a cross pin 17 closing the forward end of the slot.

The taper lever passes through the quadrant 7 the latter being slotted at 15a or compositely formed of plates teprovide for the passagel ofthe taper-,-A levei'j. The upper edges of the walls of the slotted portion of the quadrant are formed with notches or recesses in the form of teeth, which: teeth-provide one' element of Vcertain ftape'r-4 adjustment stops of the knee. Owing to the slotted vformation of the quadrant, to provide for the passage of the taper lever therethrough, andI particularly`wheretlie quadrant' in 'its forward portion is of reduced area, it has been vfound that the `formation of anotchor tooth in the forward portion of the quadrant Ytends to, materially, weaken the quadrantthroug'hout this portion, and henceit hasheen' found desirable to so form the slot 15 j 'thatfits forward end o-r wall 14 maybe utiliz'edas one of the stops onthe Iquadrant for the taper, adjustment of the taper lever. Henc'e,ff in' the `p referred forin` 'of thainvention illustratedl in Figs. 1 to 8, there are shownthree taper adj ustment stops on thequadant, two b eing inthe form of notches vor teeth, and the third the end wall of the slot 152 Of course, it will be understood thata greater or less number of notches or teeth may be I provided in accordance with the number of taper adjustments of the'knee required, though ordinarily the provision of l three such taper positions will befound sufiicient. The taper lever 15 is provided with apawl 19 pivotally yconnected -to the lever at 18, the pawl being formed at its free'end for cooperation with the teeth or notches 12 and 13 and being additionally provided with a lateral stud 21, immediately inrean of its free end.

Obviously, 'in the forward movement of the taper-lever under'the power pressure meanSVthefpawl 19 would engage the first or rear-most tooth 12, Aand thefurther movement of the taper lever and hence the taper of the knee would be arrested in a position determined by the limit movement of such lever. If a Agreater taper movement is required, the pawl may be placed in cooperation with the second tooth, as 13, and vin the limit movement of the taper lever, the knee is moved to a, greater degree. If a maximum taper position of the knee is required, the pawl cooperation with the teeth 12 and 13 must he prevented and the taper lever moved independently of the knee until such lever directly engages lthe end wall 14*El of the slot 15, whereupon the further movement of the taper lever and knee will be arrested. lf, as is contemplated, these three, or more ifused, -ta-per adjustments of the knee are to be selectively employed, that is, any one selected without regard to the then position of the knee, meansmust be provided vwhereby thepawl will be engaged with the proper tooth, or prevented from lll engaging any .tooth during the .operation of the taper lever, to cause said lever to engage the end wall 14"* of the slot 15a. To secune this result, there is provided a locator or limiter for the control of the pawl, which locator or limiter, hereinafter termed the pilot lever, comprises an arm 22 pivotally supported on the pin 6 immediately adjacent one side of the quadrant 7. lThe upper end of the arm is provided with an extended head or guide section 23, which is disposed on a plane slightly above the -toothed or notched edge of the quadrant, and is of a length slightly greater' than the linear distance of .that quadrant from the initial stop or tooth to the final' stop. The forward end of the guide portion of the pilot lever is projected downwardly into U-form forming a recess 24, and then upwardly to present a terminal 25 above the normal .plane of the guide. The extent of the recessLQ/i cor-responds approximately to the depth of the teeth 12 andl 13, and this head of the pilot lever guidingly receives the stud 21 of the pawl 19.

It will be ofl course apparent that while the stud is riding upon the concentric portion 23 of the guide, the free end of the paw-l is held out of possible engagement with any of the stop teeth` and' ,that if the pilot lever has been arranged so that the recess 24 is substan-tially aligned with either of the stop teeth, it will be apparent that as the lstud v21 rides into said recess, the free end of the pawl wil-l drop into the corresponding tooth. Thus if the pilot lever has been adjusted to a position adjacent or in line with a particular tooth, the taper lever in its forward movement will cause the paW'l to drop into that tooth. thereby locking the taper lever and knee to cause the knee to move. with the further movement of the taper lever. .and thus secure the desired extent of taper adjustment of the knee. If. however, it is desired that the taper lever engage the end wall 14 ofthe slot 15a, the Amovement of the pilot lever is such as to prevent the pawl from cooperation with any of the teeth. so that the pawl rides 'free of the teeth and forwardly until the taper lever engages the end wall of the slot. As previously stated. the guide portion 23 of the pilot level` is of such length `as to block out the limit stops other than the one selected so that if this pilot lever has been moved to a .position to permit the taper level' to engage the end wall of the slot, the guide portion 23 will overlie all other stops in the quadrant` so that the pawl will ride freely over the same in the movement of the taper lever to the limit position. In cooperation with any particular stop tooth, the pilot lever permits the pawl to engage that tooth through allowing the stud 21 of the pawl to ride into the recess 24 of the pilot lever. In the extreme :forward stop position of the taper lever, however, that is, with such lever in engagement with the end wall 1l of the slot, the pilot lever has been moved to a position to prevent the pawll from engaging with any ofthe teeth, and

the taper lever approaches ythe stop 14 the pawl simply rides on the upper ed les ot the side walls of the quadrant, as cearly shown in Fig. 5, wholly free of and beyond the influence ofthe pilot lever.

Thus the pilot lever absolutely/ predetermines a particular stop position of the taper lever with respect to the knee, the pilot lever guiding the paWl into the particular' tooth, where such tooth forms the selected stop, or preventing the pawl from engagement with any of the teeth, where the taper lever is to be moved into cooperation with the wall 14 as astop y The pilot lever `is controlled b .yanean Oi' a fluid cylinder 2pivotally supported at 2G on the quadrant and having a... iston 28, and a piston rod 29, the latterol y\ vhi(':h' is connected to the pilot lever. The cylinder 27, hereinafter termed thepilot cylinder, .comprises a vcentral barrel 30u/ith end heads 31. `In the rear head is a loose {itting disc and between the .same and'the lrear wall ot the head' is interposed a vspring;- i, the tension of which 'tends to normally hold the disc up .against the. end of the barreland against .or adjacent an extension 34 of the piston. In `the mnt headis a loose litting disc 35, and between such disc andthe end wall of the front head, is interposed a spring 36, the tension of theI same tend-ing to normally hold --thedisc up against-theend of the barrel and up or against a flange 37 formed -on the rod 29. In the heads are ports '38 and 39 connectedl by ,pi-pes 40 and 41 to ports 42, 43, of 'the cylinder' of a controlling valve 45. The valve 45 is reciprocally mounted in the cylinder, and is conveniently connected to a l1andle46, positioned to be operatedv by theV setter in connection with the u ni-t control described in the co-pending application, Serial No, 517,- G47 hereinabove referred to.

In operation of the formfshown morepal'- Vticularly in Figs. 1 to S, and assuming the .parts to be in normal posi-tions, that is` with the taper lever, and 'therefore the knee, fully withdrawn, which is the ,position of the linee, when no taper is required, the piston 28 of t-he pilot cylinder is'hel'd in balanced positions by the springs 33,36, and the pilot lever is arranged so ,that the U-sliaped depression 24 is substantially'in line with the tooth or notch 13. Vith the parts in this normal position, and pressure admitted to the taper cylinder to advance the taper lever, the pawl 19 by reason ofthe pin 21 riding,r on the guide section 23a of the taper lever will ride over the initial .notch or tooth l2 lill and' enter tl1e'notch'13 as shown in F ig.6. This movement of the taper lever 15 causes a corresponding movement of the knee and thus a taperadjustment of the knee to an extent determined by the movement of the taper lever before being interlocked with the knee by the pawl engagement described. The pressure in the taper cylinder is maintained during the tapering operation, and as the stud 21 of the pawl is in the lower portion of the recess 24 of the pilot lever, and as the nose vof the pawl is in engagement with the tooth, it will be apparent that the parts are substantially locked in this lposition as the stud 21 Acannot move upwardly iny the vrecess owing to the rearward curve of the forward wall thereof, as shown, and the pressure of the taper cylinder prevents any rearward movement of the pawl. This effective interlock is maintained as long as pressure remains inthe taper cylinder, and is not broken until this pressure is relieved and opposing pressure applied to move the taper lever back to a normal position.

Itl will be apparent from the above description that when the pilot lever is interlocked with the teeth 12 or 13,' as when the taper lever is in tapering position determined by such teeth, the pilot lever cannot be directly moved, but as hereinafter described, is under these circumstances, adapted to be set or influenced for its next move at the will of the operator, and the pilot lever lwill respond to this previous set or influence lwhen the taper lever ha'sben returned to normal position and the interlock released. If, however, the taper lever is in normal position, or is in engagement in taper position with the stop 14, it will be seen that the pilot lever is wholly free of any interlock, and if under these circumstances a decreased taper movement of the knee is desired, the taper lever is moved to normal position by appropriate pressure in the taper cylinder and the setter moves valvey 45 to a position indicated in Fig. 4, to admit pressure through pipe 41, and thus, through the pressure on piston 28, move the pilot lever rearwardly until the recess 24 is in alignment with the tooth 12. If preferred, the result just noted may be as readily accomplished by initially operating the pilot lever which may be first adjusted to the desired position` and the taper lever then operated, as with the taper position determined by stop 14a, the pilot lever is free to be adjusted at will. In this position, the arm 22 of the pilot lever engages with what may be called an adjustable rear stop for such pilot lever, indicated at 48. As the taper lever moves forwardly under appropriate pressure, the nose of the pawl 19 w1ll be guided into the tooth 12 through the stud 21 riding inthe recess 24 and themovement of the taper lever 'will-be arrested, and thereby the taper movement of the knee will be stopped. l

, If an increased taper is desired, the-"setter shifts valve 45 vto the position indicated 'in Fig. 5, admitting pressure'through pipe 40 and operating the pilot llever through appropriate pressure on the piston 28 in the pilot cylinder forwardly until limited'vby the forward pilot lever stop 49, which is in the form of an adjustable screw. In this position 'the forwarder notched end of the guideof the pilot lever is in advance of the wall st op 14l of the' slot 15, and asthe quadrant is not cutaway or notched at this point,t heupper edge ofthe walls'on opposite sides of-andbeyond Vthe slot are upwardlycurved as at: 50 tomaintain the outline of the part. In'the forward position, theppilot lever is arranged so-that the main-guide portion 23a-'liesin a plane'above the notches or teeth-12-and- 13, and the terminal 25 of the forward wallforming-.the depression 24', which asv it 'will heseen, terminates-in the curved plane of the main length of the guide is now but slightly above the curved portion 50 of the quadrant. As pressure is'admitted to the taper cylinder, the taper lever moves forwardly, the stud 21 of the pawl 19 riding on the guide portion 232L of the taper lever to preventA the pawl from entering either of the teeth 12 or `13. fAs the taper lever reaches aA position approximating the predeterminedstop, which in this instance vis the forward wall 14a of the notch 15a, the nose Aofthe pawl rides upon the curved portion 50 of the quadrant, and the relation of the parts is such, as shown more particularly in` Fig. 5, that as the taper lever continues to move forwardly,l the pawl is elevated by Vthis curved-portion 50 of the quadrant,l so that the stud 21l of the pawl 19 rides over the free yend 25 of the forward wall of the depression 24 of the taper lever guide. 'The taper lever will engage the stop 14 and thus limit the taper movement of the knee, b'ut this movement is the maximum movement as the control or limiting mechanism is so positioned as to permit the maximum movement of the taper lever.

In Figs. 9 to llinclusive, there is illustrated a slightly modifiedform of the taper limiting means, hereinbefore described, wherein instead of limiting the maximum movement of the taper lever by the forward wall 14a of the notch 15a, the quadrant is provided with a forward tooth 14 as a cooperating stop element. This modified construction is designed for use in those lsaw mill rigs where the quadrant can be constructed of such size and strength as to avoid liability of breakage in use through the formation of this third or forward notch or tooth. The parts previously described in connection with the taper mechansm @are .dhplithted in this mediflhd eenstruction. except that `ih .the m0-Yemenief the taper .v to the rrianfriinuml disposition, the stop L9 limits the forward n'iovementof the :taper lever, so that the depressipn Zet thereof is in alignment v.with sugli forward notch or tooth 14, andas the taper lever moves lforwardly under the second `pressure in the taper cylinder, the stud :21 is guided into the depression o;'' the taper lever and the lfree end of the pawl is thereby guided into the no teh or `tooth 1.4.

`lnlthe modified form, it `willloe noted that in 11,. the pilot lever 22 is sligwn as in the nornizil position, that is, with the notch 2l in cooperation with the tooth v 13, and the tape-r lever 15 has been advanfed to the oorresppndingteper position, wherein the'pewl 19 -will he directed by tlierguifdeA portion of the taper lever and the recess 24 into cooperation with the tooth 13. `Ii inathis modified form, a less taper is desireihthemovenient of the taper leverl'iaek to normalnppsvition will release the pilotlever, andeither l'efore or after said release, the setter will manipulate. the valve 45 `to admit pressure to thepipe 41 and so operatethe piston 28 as to move the 'taper lever hack into Icoo eration with the tooth 12, whereupon tie movement ot the taper lever under-pressure will cause the pawl to engage this tooth 1 2, as indicated inFig. t), thus movingthe knee to the minimum taper position. If en increased taper is desired, `the,tapei-lever Will 'he returned to normal position and the valve 45 operated to move the vnilotlever, sothat the notch 24 registers with the tooth I14, whereupon on operating' the. taperllever, the same will he moved, together with the knee, until thepin 21 ot' the pawl 19 engages in the recess ot the pilot lever, causing the pawl to enter tooth 141, as shown inFig. 10. YThis is the maximum taper position of the modified forni. and in each instaneethepposition of the pilot lever accurately and albsolutelj: detern'iines the. taper.

ln this modified forni, it will he apparent that in each taper adjustment, the pilot lever and paw] will be lockedjrelative toeach other and to the particularly engaged notch, or tooth, until the pressure on the taper lever has been relieved and said lever has been moved rearwardly toward the normal position; while in the preferred form, this interlock between the paw] of the taper lever and 'the pilot lever is in eleet only for the two teeth or notches 12and 13, the forward or maximum position of the taper lever not utilizing the pawl as a limiting;r means `and holding said pa wl free of the pilot lever, so that the latter following the maximum disposition of the taper lever may, by appropriate and obvious control ot the valve 45, he lset to a subsequent position. -In this setting, to a subsequent position of the pilot lsition, itisihel lever while :tener .lere-r ,et nimh tener rasieren, iter erhaelt settles of .the taper lever .ter were .till-i1 with 'the teeth .er T12 .the @it phwl 19, i n @Metlife effthlt pelelllohemel psitihifitls 9Yer.f11e.-, wardirhll 0f .thetleenessaee 251,431.8 Sti1l. 2.l 'risiillib the'. Outer Sie@ 0f .Seid Well' anil-.tethmgtllh rhein etude pertnl where.' any. tif?" ly Indicated qperetihnfofthpmhtolly be carried out." i i i .Ah .essentiel .eetl impertapt ,tether 0f h oth fprrnset .the entretien he'rein .forth 1S that fthe leger Lszlttllilt- .lfif fbhg' setarhfluste' .t9 rredeterrelneeehheaiit metier eftllefteer letfhhithoat tarlth the mettait .ef t, e tener leiewhee ,Shell letten er. Set. Offtlieirlt. .tr-ilhetliilf ,er that@ 'te tiers in beth thealefelfe and medi e @time hethpr .leitet andril t. Yer-ere latl..felht1ret0 ehhh .other il@ lathe .taper :hier is .i1-hele ,if '11er sure. fm .eheheh el the rettet-ttl ieee when .the etw 1S. engaged -with t1. het the teeth 12 or 1,3, and ,in themodifi'erljorlln Where the taper reelle engage-exit with either fof the' teeth ,12, 13191; litis. @retreat thattlle Stterfmay, While the .Pelis remain 11h fthe iter ile@ tentltiqh. .mhlpulhte Vthe valve .4 admit presre to tiernos-cylinder twhihofthetiie ler-er vereffreetoiee, aveu; .sets'iwhp t lerer, V1n pmper re etion.to ,t e tiert P'r eterminatipetit/len. ef theatre-. lette @Vera .ivf let .lever 111.1yriterlef;.lmlltl''pl-eeetlust.thisirievehierit 1.91- lowing the set thereo. described, hyfthherfet that the presshrein .the-taper vlinder '1S greater. then-the pressure-ih the piletfii'lhfle-Pf and the tether-Eet that. the fiese ef the pt Wl tt-butsghiett e fate of tlietoth .and holdsthe tapertleve'ra einst displaeement in a vforward direction `w ile the st ud'21eneased in the depreoh QAJhLdS the .pilot lever against movement inthe reerwedrlif reotion. As sponhgwever, ,as thepre'sjsu're in the ,taper cylinder isrelieved, taper l,lever .started toward n orrnial pfosif tion, the interlock'deseriberl lis'.brokenand the pressurein thetaper cylinder as previously set, exerts itselffend 'the `pilot lever to the new position. Upon the neit .forward movement lofl the taper leveryith@ new position vofthe pilot lever `defte'rmines the taper limit movement of the taper lever. VThis interlocked relation of the plOL. lever and the setting of the pilotleyerlat will for subsequentmovernent tothe new titper position when the interlock is broken'is equally truev of the preferred vform when either ofthe tee-th or notches 12 or 13eme used as the tepel' limit. i'

In th YPlt.fieri-451 farm when the taper lever iS. in mexhiam taper fnotian. thh't is, in engagement with thefwall' lll fof the rf:-

v. adjusted to any one of the several limitpositions desired to control the subsequent movement of the taper lever. i Therefore itmay be stated that the pilot. levierl provides 'a meansl for determining a knee ta r movementlof a taper lever and that this pilot .lever maybe so controlled whenl the pilot lever is inv any of its taper adjustingpositions that the subsequent or succeeding adjusting 4position of the .taper lever may beiprovided for, whereby while the knee is in a taper position and so held by the taper lever, the setter may determine the next taper position and iarrange the parts so that the next taper movement of the taper lever 'willbe predetermined. It is through this ability to set the pilot lever, if interlocked, or to actually adjust it ifjfreeto move, tol a position which will determine the next taper position of thetaper lever, without regard to the fact that the taper lever is. set and holding thev knee in a particular taper ,position or not, that the irnportance of the taper mechanism depends, for by this arrangement, the setter may determine a subsequent taper while the log is being cut, 'and whil'ehe is not otherwise engaged in sett-ing and selecting other devices in the system.

Obviously, the invention is not limitedA to a construction which will permit of three adjustments for tapering. For instance, in Fig. l2, the cylinder 27a which operates the arm 22, is provided with a piston 28, and its rod 29 is pivoted to the arm and operates thesame as in thepreferred form. However, the fluid pressure ,from the valve 44a acts to only force the piston and arm in one direction. A spring 36a`is interposed between the piston and one end of the cylinder to return the arm to normal position. This arrangement is illustrative of a type of construction, wherein but two taper adjustments are required, consequently, the quadrant 7 will have but two teeth 12a and 13a. In other respects. that is. the flanged head and recess and the pressure means for operating the ,knee are the same las Ain the preferred form.

In the modified form of the invention, the valve 441 is moved to admit pressure in the chamber 59 of the cylinder` and the arm 22 is rocked forwardly until it encounters the limiting. stop, at which time the recess 24 is located to receive the stud on the pawl and cause the latter to engage the tooth 14.

' When the valve 44a is reversed, pressure is exhausted from the chamber andthe spring 36a returns the piston and the arm to normal position against the limiting stop at which time the recess 24 is located to 'cause the pawl to engage tooth 13a when the knee is subsequently advanced.

While the invention described is primarily intended to operate in conjunction with and form a part of the unit control system for operating saw mill carriages, as fully shown and described in the application herein referred to, it is nevertheless not limited in its use to this particular combination. There are many and varied conditions where tapering mechanism such as described may be used to advantage without employing all the elements of the whole unit control system. However, in every instance, it is essential toward accuracy and increased economical production, that the tapering means be so designed and arranged that the setter may select and set the adjustinent for an immediate or future taper control at a time when his attention is not otherwise required in connection with other things on the carriage. With this end in view, it is evident the construction and operation set forth will accomplish the contemplated result, and in addition the setter has little to do to make the required adjustment.

In the description' and drawings, the invention has been shownand described in connection with a single knee, but is of 'course to be understood that all knees and knee blocks on a carriage are or may be similarly constructed.

The various operations herein described are shown as fluid operated, and while this is a particularly convenient means for carrying out the desired functions, it is to be understood that the parts may well and with equal facility be operated by any power means. For example, a simple and convenient electrically-operated control may be provided, wherein the taper lever here indicated at may be provided with a curved rack bar 61adapted to be engaged and operated by a pinion 62 driven directly or indirectly by a reversible motor 63 controlled by a switch 64. The pilot lever 65 may have an operating rod 66 provided with an armature 67 cooperating selectively with either of two (or more) electromagnets 68, the selective energization of a particular electromagnet attracting the armature and correspondingly moving the pilot lever. Springs 69 may be employed in connection with the electromagnets, whichl springs are so mounted with relation to and so control the operating rod of the pilot lever (or such pilot lever directly) as to tend to move the pilot lever to a normal or Central position when the electromagnets are de-energized.

Thus through appropriate switch manipu- {knee is fin either` retracted -or lation, the-entire mechanism may be conveniently and eflciently controlled electrically. 'Ilherefore,fin the appended claims the reference Vto power 1or fluid {operated tis intended to cover any and all mechanical 'and electrical equivalents for the operation, control, and setting of the parts.

What I claim is:-

1. In combination, a knee and knee block 'connected for independent movement of the knee, 'means for adjusting .the linee independent of athe knee block, means to limit `the adjustable movement 'of lthe knee, including1teethand a paxvl to cooperate with the teeth, and means selectively operable at the will of the opera-tor to subsequently establish-Whichtooth the fpaivl will engage for :limiting the `'adjustable movement of 'the knee.

Q. Log tapering means for a saw mill carria'ge, comprising a -knee rblock, a knee having `movement independent of the knee block, means Lfor adjusting zthe knee independent of the vknee block to ytaper a log,

meansfor-predeterminingr vand llimiting such movement, and means permitting a setting or' -the limiting means for a subsequentadj ustment lofthe knee toward a log when Ithe `tapering posi- Ition.

3. Log-tapering means Afora saw mill carriage, comprisingr a Iknee block, a knee having Vmovement independent of lthe knee block, .means for adjusting `the knee independent of the knee block to :taper a g,

means for predetermining and limiting such movement, including teeth anda pawl, and means .operable vwhen the knee 1s 1n either Aretracted vor tapering vposition to select -Whieh one of the -teeth the paWl will engage to determine the length .of Ithe next .tapering vmovement -of the knee.

4. yLog tapering means for a saw mill carriage, comprising a knee block, aknee lhaving movement independent of .the knee block, vmeans for adjusting the -knee independent ofthe knee block to vtaper a log, means for-predetermining and'limiting such movement,'and selecting means capable of being set for determining which tooth lthe pawl will engage to determine the depth of the tapering movement when the knee is in\ retracted o r tapering position, or while a log isbeing sawed.

5. In combination, a saw mill carriage, a knee on the carriage to set a log, means capable of' predetermining the adjustmentof the'knee-to vary the depth of the taper of a log7 and setting mechanism operable While the carriageis -in .movement for at restand irrespective of the Iposition of .the knee to .predetermine the extent of the subsequent adjustment of the knee.

.-6. VMeans for tapermg arlog on'a-saw mill carriage, including setting mechanism operto.,th'e1knee independent of the ikneenbloifk, .a

able ffor determining .the .extent .of v'a subsequent 'taper during :the @time lthe .kneefis adjusted against .a log, whereby to. minder-for subsequent itaper 'of the log wit out .eifeetini l such position or `the sawingvoperation.

In combination, a :knee and knee `block for a 4saw .mill carriage, means for imparting adjustable movement of the :knee 'finder pendently of thek'nee block, a :pawil carried bysaid means, ra series of Eteet'hfon :the lknee with which the parel-cooperates, .a selective mechanism including .a .lever .and device Ato cause the awl l:to engage a redete'rrnir'ied tooth Lof i lie :series ito :limit i he adjustable 4movement of A.the knee, vand setting means `operable at .all times etoldetermine a selective movement .of the .lever and device.

w8. In combination, a ikne'e .and knee block for a saw .millvearriagqmeans `for imparting adjustable kmovement olf the knee :independently of the knee block, a vpawl carried aby said means, a seriesfofzteeth on :the knee :with which the pawl cooperates, a selective .meehanism including a lever andia devioeto cause :the :pawl to Vengage a predetermined ltooth of the series lo limit the adjustable movelment of the lmee,fand.setting means to ,determine a subsequent Jselective :movement L of such lever 'andldevice independent of lthe `then position-.of-such'parts :with reference to the pawl, .and lsprings =to `returns-said lever and deviceto .normal iposition .atthe will of .the operator. j j

l9. l,Means for taperinglaflogonnsaw .mill carriage, comprisin'ga knee and knee block, Vmeans for imparting Vadjustable movement .to .the :knee ifindep'en'den-t fof the fknee block, .means for .predeterminingthetextenaof such adjustable movement, and 'fluid pressure setting .means operated to `determine va .subsequent set ofthe means'for determining the extent of the movement ofthe fknee, .said fluid-pressure means being operablerrespecgtiv'eof the positionaofsaidflmee, andsprings to return such knee determining means to knormal position :atV the will .nf-.the operator.

l10. iMeans -fortaperingalog onza saw mill carriage, comprisinga knee- Vand knee iblock, -means for .imparting adjustablemovement pawl carried by "the'last rmentioned means, a lstud 'on the .pawlgteeth earried'&by therknee, an armvmounted von`theiknee and provided with a flanged head and 4cam recess :with which fthe stud .cooperates to determine which tooth the pawl .will lengage =to li-mit the extent of movemento'fthe'knee matapering operatioma cylinder,.a piston in the cylinder having a rod extending therefrom and pivoted to the arm, springslforlholding the arm in anormalposition lwith reference -to the'teeth, andmeans for controlli-ng flu-id pressure-to 4aetuate the arm to `position the recessiand cause the studfto engagera select- -edtooth andlimitthemovement ofthe knee.

11. Means for tapering a log on a saw mill carriage, comprising a knee and knee block, means for imparting movement to the knee independent of the knee block, means for selecting and determining the extent of the independent movement of the knee and effecting an interlock between such means and the knee during a tapering operation, and means controlled by a Avalve for making a subsequent selection of the extent of movement of the knee when the knee is in normal or interlocked position.

12. In combination, a knee and knee block for asaw mill carriage, means for imparting movement to the knee independent of the knee block, including fluid pressure means, a pawl carried thereby, teeth on the knee withl which the pawl engages, means for operating the knee and knee block together, and means controlled by a valve for predetermining which of the teeth the pawl will engage and when engaged form an interlock between the knee and the fluid pressure means, the interlocking action and valve permitting of making a selection from the teeth for changing the extent of movement of the knee for a subsequent tapering operation while the knee is locked and engaging a log.

13. In combination, a -knee and knee block for a saw mill carriage, means for holding the knee and knee block in normalposition and operating same in unison, means for imparting movement to the knee independent of the knee block including a fluid pressure cylinder, piston, piston rod and lever, a pawl carried by the lever, teeth carried by the knee, and means cooperating with the pawl to cause engagement of same with one of the teeth to predetermine the extent of the independent movement of the knee during the time a log is being cut on a taper or when being cut straight without affecting the position of the knee while making the cut, and a valve for operating the pawl cooperating means. v

14. In combination, a knee and knee block for saw mill carriage, means for imparting movement to the knee independent of the knee block, a pawl carried by such means, teeth carried by the knee, an arm having a device to cooperate with the pawl to cause same to engage a predetermined tooth, stops to limit the movement of the arm, springs to hold the arm in a normal position with reference to the teeth, and fluid pressure operated means to actuate the arm to position the device carried thereby to cause the pawl to engage a selected tooth and thereby determine the extent of the independent movement of the knee.

15. In combination, a knee and knee block for saw mill carriages, pressure operated means 'for moving the knee independent of the-knee block, a pawl carried thereby, a stud on the pawl, teeth carried by the knee,

an arm mounted on the knee, said arm having a lr'ack and a cam recess, pressure operated means for actuating the arm to position the cam recess to receive the stud and canse the pawl to engage the selected tooth and thereby limit the extent of movement of the knee and form -an interlock between the arm and pawl, and a valve for controlling the pressure operating means for actuating the arm, the interlock and the pressure necessary to operate the arm being less than the pressure necessary to independently more the knee permitting of actuation of' the valve for making a subsequent selection of' a tooth with which the pawl is to engage while the knee is set in a tapering position.

16. In combination, a knee and knee block for saw mill carriages, pressure operated means for imparting to the knee a movement independent of the knee block, a pawl and cooperating teeth betweenthe knee and pressure operated means for limiting the adjustment of the knee, and selecting mechanism fully operable in any relation of the parts to predetermine which tooth the pawl will engage in a subsequent operation to limit the extent of movement of the knee under the pressure operated means. I

j 17. In combination, a knee and knee block for saw mill carriages, pressure operated means for imparting to the knee a movement independent of the knee block, a pawl and cooperating teeth between the knee and the pressure operated' means, selecting mechanism to predetermine which tooth the 'pawl will engage to limit the extent of movement of the knee in a tapering operation, including a device to cause an interlock between the pressure operated means and the pawl when the latter engages a tooth, and means operable while the pressure operated means and pawl are interlocked to make a predetermined selection of extent of movement of the knee in a subsequent tapering operation.

18. A log taper adjusting means for saw mill carriages, and automatically operable control means for said adjusting means, said control means being set at will for subsequent automatic operation and released for such operation only under predetermined conditions of the adjusting means.

19. A log taper adjusting means for saw mill carriages, and automatically operable control means for said adjusting means, said control means being set at will for automatic operation and held against the automatic operation for which it is set while the adjusting means is in operative position, whereby to permit setting the control means while the adjusting means is holding the parts of the carriage in one log adjusting position.

20. In a log tapering mechanism, a log taper adjusting means, and an automatically operable mechanically set limit meinbe'r fr said; adjusting' mean`s, the operatlve movement of which is' controlled'by'tle a'djustin means. v

2li. fn a log.V taperingl n i'e'clianisinga` log taper adjustngmeans, and limit' mechanism tlierefor, said mechanism'bing. set for an automatic operation' to 'determine a subsequent position of the adjustingV meansl` and held against such automatic movement b'y the adjusting means when in operative position. i

22. Ina log tapering mechanism, a l'og taper adjusting means andi a loctbr therefor, manually cont'rllable autbinaf't'ie means for operating and' positioning said ldc'atr, said means beingheldiagainst locatifs operation by said adjusting" means W-in4 in' operative position, whereby on" releaseV of said adjusting. 'means the locator. is released for operation under the'previonsly setiv automatic means.

23. A log taper, adjustin" means, and means for determining-1a su sequent pesition ot'y such adjustingmeans, said det-'ermining means bein'gset for automatic move-Y ment following. release. of tiie adjusting means.,.

2 4. In' a log' tapering mechanism for saw mill carriages, an adjusting means forcentrolling the log taper', means for difierentially limiting the operation' of said a'djnsting means in' any pn'e operatii-e move' ment, means for establishing/a potertiality` for variation in said limit tirongli apre-` viously manually governed setting, the' operation of said potentijalityl being directly controlled by the adjustingnieans'.

In a log 4tapering meclianis'm'for saw" mill-ca11-iagcs, a log taperadj'us'ting means, a limit positionmember'tlierefor, mealis forv setting the member for automatic m'ove' nient, said adjiisting'v means controlling the) direct movementy of said member..

26. A locator forsaivv mill carriage knee adjusting means, said locatr being held'K against independent movement bythe adjusting means when in operati've position, an automatic positioning means for said locator capable of being set While said adjusting means is inoperative position. andv operating on the locator followingv its release by movement of the adjusting means from operative position.

2T. A. logr taper setting' means for saw' mill carriages, and control mea-ns for limiting the movement of such settingmeans, said control means being adjustable f o'r predetermined operation without regard to the positionA of the setting means andreleased for such .predetermined operation under certain conditions ot such setting means.

Q8. A log taper adjusting means for saw mill carriages, and locating means adapted to be manually set for determining a subsequent position of such adjusting means, sa'idilocati-iig' means being" held against 'movement responsiveto sucli manual set' by and while' 'che adjusting means is in an operative position.

29. A* log* taper adjusting means, and means fr' varaly limiting nie operativ@ movement of sncli adjusting' means', an actuator for the limiting meansadapted to be set at wiil for 'clianging the position of the limiting' means, said5 adjusting means wlile' in'* a'n operative p'osition holding the limitingmeans againstrnovement responsive 'to Ydie set of the actnator.

36. A saiv mill carriage k'n'ee adjusting member, a plurality of elements on tlie ltiiee niith Wliiciil sai-d member may engage to limit the' adjustinentio tlie'lmeetand means for selectivelyv determining with* which of said't elements' the' member Willisubsequently cooperate, saidmeans being' capable of being setl while" said member is in operative engagement with one of said' eiex'nents for later automaticoperation;

3l. AV saw mill' ca'iage knee adjusting member, a pluralityv` of` elements' on f the. knee with which said' memberv may engage to lirnit tlie adjustment ofitlieli'nee, an'd'meax'is fr selectively determining withl Wliich ot' said elements the' memberivill silbsequ'ent-ly cooperate', saicl meansbeing capable of being" set 'wlii'le said member is in operative eng" 4ement with o'eof' said elernen'ts.

32. A 'saw mill2 carr'iage knee adjusting 'mgmt-er, a' plie-nity `of eemearsfeii the linee witii wl'icli saidI memberl may engage to liniit'the 'adjii'stment fof` tiie knee, and means for `seieaaivel'ydetermining with' which of saidelemerts the member will subsequently cooperate, said selective means beingautomatii'cally and 'similltalneouslyl responsive to tiie selection'f Wljenz the: member is in" normal position' or' subsequ'eriti'fjt responsive to tiic selection it"t tlie member is in` cooperation with one of said elements at 'tlie' time of selection.

33. saw mill carriage linee adjusting menib'er,.a' p'luraity of elements on the knee 'with which said member may' engage to adjust tiie linee', a'V lbca'tor to be positioned with respect'toa predetermined one of said elements aidl thereby compel the coopera tion of said member and that element', and means whereby the locator' may be set for positioning'with respect to any one of said elements, said' locator being simul'tan'eouslir responsive td the setting means it saidmemberis free' of cooperation with any of said elements and subsequently responsive to the setting' means' if the: member is in cooperation" with any o'f said elements at the timeI oir setting.`

3%. A saw mill carriage knee adjusting member, an elei'nen't mciably' mounted on tlie knee to form a guide fo'r and limit the Cil position of said member in the knee adjusting movement, and means whereby the element may be set at any time for movement to a new position.

35. A saw mill carriage knee adjusting member, an element movably mounted on tlie knee to foi-m a guide for and limi!l the position of said member in tlie knee adjusting movement, and means whereby the element may be set at any time for movement to a new position, the cooperation of said member and element serving to lock said element against movement responsive to such set while said lock is maintained. v

36. In a log tapering mechanism, a log:

.tapering means, and a limit member to de' termine the extent of movement of said tapering means, and means operative in any position of the parts to predetermine a subsequent position of said limit member.

37. In a log tapering mechanism, a taper adjusting means, means to define tlie limit movement of such adjusting means, means` for operating said defining means to ditlerent positions, said operatingr means being capable of being set for subsequent actua- .tion while the adjusting means and defining means are in operative relation.

38. A log taper adjusting means for saw mill carriages, and control means to define the limit position of such adjusting means, said control means being capable of automatic response to any predetermined setl perfected during an active cooperation oi said adjusting means and control means.

39. A log taper adjusting means having a plurality of diierent limit positions, and means to piedeterii'iine a subsequent limit position during any particular limit position, said predetermining means perfecting the new limit position following movement ot tlie adjusting means from the particulaA limit position.

40. A log taper adjusting means having a plurality of different limit positions, and

means to predetermine a subsequent limit position during any particular limit position` means for restraining the effective 0peration of said predetermined means but releasable to leave the latter free to act, saidv prcdetei'ininingT means automatically defining the new limit position when free to act.

4l. In combination, a knee and knee block connected for independentmovement of the knee,` means for adjnstably positioning the knee independent of the knee block, including a series of teeth, a lever, and pawl, means to canse the pawl to engage a predetermined tootli, and setting means operable at will to determine a subsequent movement oic the lever independent of the then position of the pawl.

42. In combination. a knee and knee block connected to permit independent movement ofsaid knee, means 1to cause such independent knee movement, means for limiting such knee movement to any one of a series of determinate positions, including stops and 'a cooperative element, and setting means setting means serving to .hold the cooperative element against cooperation with any of the stops other than the predetermined one.

43. 'In combination, a knee and knee block connected to. permit independent movement of said knee, means to cause such independent knee movement, means for limiting sucli knee movement to any one of a series of determinate positions, including teeth, and a pawl t0 cooperate with the teeth, and setting means operative at will to predetermine a subsequent limiting relation between said pawl and one o the teeth, said setting means holding and vguiding the pawl free of all teeth other than the predetermined one.

44. Log tapering means for a saw mill carriage, comprising a knee, a member operative to inovethe knee for taperinga log, means torlimit the movement of the'member to any one'o'f a plurality of positions to thereby vaiv the taper position of the knee, anda selective means to determine at will the particular limit means to be next employed, said selective means preventing the control of themember by any other limit means than that selected.

45. Logtapering means for a saw mill carriage, comprising a knee, a member operative to move the knee for tapering, successive stops to limit the movement of the member to any one of a plurality of positions to thereby vary tlie taper position ot the knee, and a selective means to determine at will the particular stop to be next employed tol limit'the member` said selective means serving to prevent the use of any stops as a limit for the member other than that selected.

46. Means for tapering a log on a saw mill carriage, including setting mechanism operable for determining the extent of a subsequent taper during the time the knee is adjusted against a log, the setting means simultaneouslv eliminating any other subsequent taper than that determined.

47. In combination, a knee mounted for taper movement, a member to cause such tapering movement, means for limiting the member to any one of a series of determinate positions, including a series of successive stops, and setting means operative at Will to predetermine a subsequent cooperation between the member and any one of the stops, said setting means at the same time preventing the cooperation Vof the member and any other of the stops.

ffii

48. ln combination, a knee, a member for moving the knee Jfor tapering a log', a series of Stops to limit the tapering' movement ot the member, a pawl on the member to cooperate with certain of said stops, Said member directly cooperating' with another o l said stops independently ot the pawl, and setting' means whereby the movement ot' the, pawl iS controlled to Select any one of euch :stops` an a limiting means.

4t). ln combination, a knee, a member Jfor moving the knee t'or tapering a log!` a series ot Stops to limit the movement ot the member, a pawl on the Vmember to cooperate with certain ot Said `etops, Said member directly cooperating with another ot' Said Stops independently of the pawl, and independent means whereby the particular stop for limiting the movement ot' the member may be eelectively predetermined.

5t). ln combination, a knee, a member tor moving the knee for tapering a log. a seriea4 ot stops to limit the movement ot the membei'` a pawl on the member to cotitperatc with certain ot. Said stops, said member dirert ly cooperating with another ot'Y said stops imle,pemler1tly of the pawl, and independent n'ieans whereby the particular atop tor limiting the movement ot the member may be selectively predetermined, Said mean@ serving' to prevent member cooperation with any ot the stope` other than the one welected.

nl. ln combination. a knee. a member 'tor moving' the knee tor tapering;` a log', a series ot stops to limit the movement ot the meinber, said stops including a plurality ot notchca, and an abutment, a pawl on tbe member to cooperate with the notches. eaid member directly cooperating with the abutment` and Setting' means whereby the notches or abutment may be sielected as the limit etop i'or the member in a tapering' operation.

ln ctmibination` a knee, a taper lever l'or moving;- the knee, a plurality otl teeth to serve as stops tor said taper lever. a knee abutment to serve as a stop tor the tape` lever, a pawl on the lever to cooperate with the teeth, said lever directly cooperatiiur with the abutment independently ot the, pawl, and an independently controlled pilot lever adapted to Cooperate with and 2luide the pawl into a particular tooth or hold the pa wl from cooperation with any ot the teeth to permit the lever to engage with the abutment.

53. ln combination, knee, a taper lever for moving the knee, a plurality ot teeth to serve as Stops for said taper lever, a knee abutment to Serve aS a stop 'for the taper lever, a pawl on the lever to cooperate with the teeth, said lever directly cooperating` with the abutment independently ot' the pawl, and an indeiliendently controlled pilot lever adapted to cooperate with and guide the pawl into a particular tooth or hold the pawl from cooperation with any ot the teeth to permit the lever to engage with the abutment. and means for selectively operating' the pilot lever.

5Fl. ln combimition` a knee, a taper lever Y'or moving the knee, a plurality ot' teeth to serve as stops 'l'or Said taper lever, a knee abutment to serve ae a Stop 'For the apcr lever, a pawl on the lever to cooperate with the teeth` said lever directly cooperating; with the abutment independently ol' the pawl, and an iiidependently controlled pilot lever adapted to cooperate with and guide the pawl into a particular tooth or hold the pawl Ytrom cooperation with any ott the teeth to permit the lever to engalje with the abutment, said pilot lever being' interlocked with the pawl when the latter ie in engagement with one ot the teeth and being' wholly t'ree when the taper lever is in eim'ag'rment with the abutment.

55. ln combination, a knee, a taper lever for moving' the knee, a plurality ot teeth io nerve an etopa` lor said taper lever, a knee ibutmcnt to serve as a Stop t'or the taper Lever, a pawl on the lever to cooperate with the teeth, said lever directly cooperating' with the abutment independently ot the pawl, and an independently controlled pilot lever adapted to cooperate with and guide the pawl into a particular tooth or hold the pawl 'trom cooperation with any olE the teeth to permit the lever to engage with t'ue almtment, Said pilot lever being' interlocked with the pawl when the latter is in engage ment with one ot the teeth and being' wholly 'tree when the taper lever in engagement with the abutment, and operating' menne tor the pilot lever capable ot actuation at will and serving to subsequently influence Said pilot lever following the release ot the interlock or to immediately inuence the pilot lever it the latter ie tree.

ln teetimony whereof l atliX my signature.

FREDERICK l-. Mll'llN. 

